Tasmanian Native-hen

This large flightless bird, with grey legs, yellowish bill, reddish eye and large, flattened tail, is endemic to Tasmania. It is similar to the smaller Black-tailed Native-hen T. ventralis of the Australian mainland, which has been recorded as a vagrant in Tasmania. The plumage is generally olive-brown above and grey below, with white patches on the thighs and some white flecking in the wings. Feeds in grasslands, usually in close proximity to wetlands, on seeds, grasses and some insects. Small breeding groups can occur, with all males within the group breeding with multiple females.